Americans of faith greatly impacted the 2024 election, but they aren’t the most politically engaged group
Atheists – not Americans of faith – are the most politically engaged group according to a study of various religions and Christian denominations in the United States.
The conclusion is based on a Faith Counts study of levels of political engagement based on groups donating to candidates, displaying a political sign, working for a candidate or campaign, attending a political meeting, attending a protest or march, and contacting a public official, The Washington Stand of the Family Research Council reported.
“Atheists are the most politically engaged ‘religious’ category. No one participates more in politics than atheists.” Secularists did more on these measures of political involvement than any other group over successive election cycles in 2018, 2020, and 2022, wrote Ryan Burge, research director for Faith Counts.
Additionally, a group known as “Nones” – those who do not identify with any organized religious entity but do not deny the existence of God – were the least politically engaged.
Burge’s findings revealed that the Christian denominations most open to secularism – such as the Episcopal Church – were more engaged in the civic process than more traditional Christian groups.
In a survey of 120,000 voters by AP VoteCast, Trump garnered the support of 8 in 10 white voters who identify as evangelical Christians. The group's impact on the election is unquestionable, as they make up about 20% of the electorate. Conversely, Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris garnered massive support not only among Democrats but even more among atheists and those who say they rarely or never attend church, according to a Rasmussen Reports survey before the election.
Related:
Religious ‘Nones’ in America: Who They Are and What They Believe (Pew Research)
White evangelical voters show steadfast support for Donald Trump’s presidency (Associated Press via 59 News)
How voting demographics changed between 2020 and 2024 presidential elections (NBC News)